Poetry Break Spring

Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems. Alcaron, Francisco X. Illustrations by Gonzalez, Maya Christina.  Children's Book Press, San Francisco, CA.  1997.

Introduction:   Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems

by Francisco X. Alcaron

Explain to students that this is a poetry book where the poems are written in both Spanish and English.  Show  the students the cover of the book and have them share their observations with the class.  Read the poem orally to the group.

Laughing Tomatoes

Francisco X. Alcaron

Laughing Tomatoes

in our backyard

we plant

tomatoes

the happiest

of all

vegetables

with joy

they grow round

with flavor

laughing

they change

to red

turning

their wire-framed

bushes

into 

Christmas trees

in spring

If possible, have someone who speaks Spanish read the poem a second time, this time in Spanish. 

Read the poem a third time, this time read the poem's alternating lines, read the line in English, then the same line in Spanish.

Show the students the illustrations that support the poem.  

Extension ideas:

Plant some tomatoe plants in the school yard, allow students to be responsible for watering and taking care of them.  

Bring in tomatoes for the students to observe, both whole and cut in half.   See if they make the connection of the people in the pictures having tomatoe seeds for teeth.

This could lead to a lesson on vegetables, gardening, good health.